Weekend Music Preview: Houston’s Birthday and Benefit Bash [Red 7 / Friday]

Houston Ritcheson, one of Red River St.’s permanent fixtures, was recently diagnosed with cancer, and this Friday, a number of concerned Austin citizens are throwing a shindig at Red 7 to celebrate his birthday and raise funds to help pay his medical expenses. Ritcheson has been a part of numerous punk bands including Brewtality Inc., The Contradicks, Lower Class Brats, Four Violent People, Belligerent 86, The Knocked Out Stiffs, and Method Of Destruction. In addition to that hefty résumé, Ritcheson is easily recognizable from his shifts as a staffer at The Back Room and Headhunters. We also learnt via a message board that he helped build a practice rink in town for the Texas Rollergirls.

The show is presented by Metal Dave Productions, which is essentially Ritcheson’s friend Dave Glessner, a good Samaritan who has previously put on benefit shows for other music industry folk in town needing assistance as well. Gless (dubbed “Metal Dave” by Ritcheson himself some fifteen years ago) has assembled quite a stellar line-up for Houston’s Birthday and Benefit Bash. The perennially underrated veteran band Sons of Hercules headline with catchy garage-punk ditties that have kept San Antonio and Austin residents rocking along for over a decade. The talented New Disaster precede them with thumping rock ‘n’ roll that is as inspired by Guns N' Roses as it by the Stooges. Expect a new record from these guys later this year; purchase Last Night Rites off CD Baby in the interim. Similarly sleazy punk ‘n’ roll from The Flash Boys and Born To Lose gets things going. Come on down and part with a measly $8 ($10 for minors) to make a difference in the life of one of Austin’s favorites. Rock out all night to some ferocious rock and punk music to boot.

On Saturday, The Soldier Thread (Le Diamant Brut) celebrates the release of its debut full-length Shapes at La Zona Rosa. The band’s lush soundscapes and penchant for melody are sure to have widespread appeal; enter the form below for your chance to win two free tickets to the show!

Follow the jump for the rest of our recommendations for this weekend, and for the Austinist Weekend Music Preview Slideshow!